Design story

These decorative towels would not have looked out of place in the American magazine 'Victoria', which celebrated all things british and particularly all things victorian. This feminine lacy edging adds a touch of the boudoir to otherwise plain towels, and is therefore fittingly named after the infamous Lillie Langtree.

The edgings are crocheted in cotton which means the towels can still be laundered in a washing machine.

Materials

RYC Siena, 100% mercerised cotton (140 m (153 yds) per 50 gm ball)
1 ball shade 652 (cream) - enough to make 4 or 5 edgings of a similar length.
2.5 mm crochet hook
Needle and thread
Coordinating towels
Pins

Measurement

Size shown to fit 50 cm (20 inches) wide hand towel.

Abbreviations

(US crochet terms are shown in brackets, in red)

sp - space
st - stitch
ch - chain
dc (sc) - double crochet (single crochet)
tr (dc) - treble (double crochet)

Pattern notes

This pattern can be adjusted to fit any length towel, simply by working additional rows as explained in the pattern.

Pattern

Using 2.5 mm crochet hook, work 4 ch.
Row 1: [2 tr (dc), 3 ch, 3 tr (dc)] into 4th ch from hook. Work 3 turning ch.
Row 2: [3 tr (dc), 3 ch, 3 tr (dc)] into loop of 3 ch. Work 3 turning ch.
Repeat row 2 a further 29 times (or until required length with work slightly stretched). Do not break off yarn.

Edging

Row 1: Commencing at same point, 8 ch, 1 dc (sc) into first 3 ch loop * 5 ch, 1 dc (sc) into next 3 ch loop; rep from * to end of row. Work 3 turning ch.

Row 2: Miss 1 ch, tr (dc) into next ch * 1 ch, miss 1 ch, tr (dc) into next st, rep from * to end of row. Work 3 turning ch.

Row 3: 1 tr (dc) into first sp, 1 tr (dc) into next tr (dc), * 1 tr (dc) into next sp, 1 tr (dc) into next tr (dc), rep from * to end of row. Fasten off.

Making up

Darn in all ends. Block edging. Pin to right side of towel and sew into place with matching sewing thread.

Also see Martha in this issue.

This pattern is not to be used commercially or to be resold.  Copyright © Aruba Blue 2009